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The Computer-free Automation of a Jukebox (Electromechanics)

The Computer-free Automation of a Jukebox (Electromechanics) on HackerTube: recommended by 2 Hacker News commenters across 2 separate months, 2020–2021.

Technology Connections takes apart a 1970 Wurlitzer 3400 jukebox to show how electromechanical relays and switches automated its behavior without a computer.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Recommended as an eye-opening look at pre-computer automation and relay logic.

people recommended it
2
separate months
2
strong recommendations
1
discussed on HN
2020–2021
“The computer free automation of a jukebox from the 1970s is an eye opener”
— lathiat, Apr 2020, in “Hardware Microphone Disconnect in Mac and iPad”

What HN commenters said

3 Hacker News comments link this video. Each one links back to its thread.

milofeynmanJul 2020Strongly recommends

This video made me aware of his channel a few months back and I've been hooked. I really enjoyed the multi-part one where he explained the inner workings of a jukebox[0] [0] ▶ this video

in “The Classic Sunbeam Radiant Control Toaster (2006)” · View on HN

lathiatApr 2020Recommends

The computer free automation of a jukebox from the 1970s is an eye opener: (an in depth teardown and explanation) ▶ this video

in “Hardware Microphone Disconnect in Mac and iPad” · View on HN

eruJun 2021Cites it

By today's standard Doom doesn't need much processing power. You could probably find exactly the right chip that only has exactly just as many bits of RAM as you need for the lamp's functionality. But that would probably be more expensive to develop and chip than just using standard parts? Even more radical: I suspect with a bit of cleverness you could probably do everything the lamp needs to do with some relays and transistors. But today, that would be more expensive. Compare ▶ this video for the latter approach.

in “Doom Running on an IKEA Lamp [video]” · View on HN

Topics & tags

Mechanical & precision engineeringElectronics & circuit designHistory of computingjukeboxrelayselectromechanicswurlitzervintage technology